Final answer:
Excess glucose is primarily stored as glycogen in the body, specifically within the liver and muscle cells. When energy storage exceeds the capacity for glycogen, glucose is converted into fatty acids and stored in adipose tissue for later energy use.
Step-by-step explanation:
Excess glucose in the body is stored as glycogen. This storage occurs primarily in the liver and muscle cells. During the absorptive state, these cells convert excess glucose into glycogen for storage, utilizing glucose-6-phosphate as an intermediary. Furthermore, when glycogen stores are filled to capacity, the excess glucose is funneled into a pathway where it is converted into pyruvate and subsequently synthesized into fatty acids. These fatty acids are then stored in adipose tissue, also known as fat cells, which serve the crucial function of storing energy for future use.
If energy demand is high shortly after eating, dietary fats and sugars will be utilized immediately for energy. If not, they are converted into glycogen or stored as fat in adipose tissue. Should the body's glucose exceed what is necessary, the excess is transformed into fatty acids, thus contributing to body fat through storage in adipose cells.